25 Awesome Facts About Pixar’s “Coco” You Didn’t Notice In The Movie

Fans of “Coco” know the movie had quite a bit of history and story packed into it. But did you know these 25 facts from behind the movie?

1. The trivia behind the movie will make you cry more than the movie.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

For instance: this bit of insight from the film’s co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina, revealed that the idea behind Miguel watching the films of Ernesto de la Cruz on videotapes to learn how to play the guitar was inspired by Molina’s own experiences as a child. During his childhood in the 1990s, Molina would record the episodes of The Wonderful World of Disney television program on ABC, CBS, and The Disney Channel on videotape. The episodes made him long for a better life.

3. The movie was too touching to be banned in China.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

“Coco” has quite a few themes and bits of content that are typically banned in China. However, reports say that Chinese censor board members were so touched by the movie they made an exception and let it run.

5. There’s a bit of history to that Frida appearance.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

In the movie, Frida Kahlo’s spirit calls Dante “Yolo”. In real life, Frida and her husband helped to save the Xoloitzcuintli dog breed by inserting it into their art. It didn’t take long for the breed to gain popularity around the world.

6. THE CHANCLA!

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

The Chancla isn’t necessarily a universal language, but it’s pretty familiar to many belonging to the Latino community. In the movie Miguel’s grandmother and great-great-grandmother often take off their shoe and hit people with it. We’re betting it was one of the most tense moments for kids watching in the film.

7. The orange flower holds a lot of traditional meaning.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

Throughout the film, an orange flower is seen. The flower is actually the Aztec marigold, today it’s called the Mexican marigold or the Cempasúchil. In the movie, similar to IRL, the flower is used in the tradition of Dia de Muertos to guide the deceased back to the living.

9. Easter eggs!

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

At the beginning of the movie when Miguel is walking down the streets there’s a ton of Easter eggs. Watchers can spot piñatas of Pixar most beloved characters including: Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Mr. Ray.

10. Speaking of Easter eggs…

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

One of Pixar’s biggest and most recognizable Easter eggs also makes an appearance in the movie. In The Land of the Dead the door to the office is labelled with “A113.” It’s a nod to the California Institute of Arts classroom where many of Disney and Pixar animators studied.

11. The movie mourns old technology.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

Pay attention and you’ll see that in the Land of The Dead there’s a quite a bit of out-dated technology use. Keep an eye out for an 80s MacIntosh computer and walkie-talkie radios. It’s actually pretty fitting considering these bits of technology are, as of today, obsolete and well dead.

18. Abuelita’s neck had some problems.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

The movie’s creators have said the one of the most difficult parts of the film to animate was Abuelita’s neck. To do her neck justice, the filmmakers flew out one of the animator’s mother-in-laws from Mexico and did their best to make her angry to see how Abuelita’s neck would move when she got upset. It took some time but eventually the movie got its material.

21. Incredibles 2 makes an appearance.

CREDIT: “Coco” / Walt Disney Pictures /Pixar Animation Studios

In the scene where Miguel and Héctor arrive in Ernesto de la Cruz Plaza there is a scene of people lighting fireworks. On the right side of the screen in this scene there is a poster for Pixar’s Incredibles 2.